Grant giving and wish making
We all have wishes and dreams, and for children with a life-limiting condition there are a range of charities that provide support to help children achieve their dreams and give families an opportunity to build important memories of happy times together.
There are other charitable funds which give grants to people in financial need who meet their eligibility criteria, using a sum of money that the grant-giving charity has set aside for this purpose. Although some grant-giving charities have only one fund, others run several funds that give money for different purposes.
Below is a list of the key organisations in the UK that provide grants for families or enable dreams or wishes for disabled or life-limited children. You will need to check the individual criteria of each of these organisations and establish whether they are currently open for applications.
Together for Short Lives direct referrals
Our family support team works closely with two charities to be able to offer families direct referrals via our helpline.
Make-A-Wish UK and Together for Short Lives have teamed up to offer families of seriously ill children the chance to take part in life-changing exclusive wishes in 2024. If you’re supported by a children’s hospice and you can ask them to refer your family to us, or alternatively our helpline team can refer you directly.
We are able to make referrals to Willow Foundation for 16 to 25 year olds with a life-threatening or life-limiting condition. Willow offer Special Days for young adults to make special memories with their families. A Willow Special Days Out is a fun-packed day trip designed around your interests.
You can contact our helpline team about either of these offers by calling 0808 8088 100, live chat using link above, or by emailing us at helpline@togetherforshortlives.org.uk.
Dreams Come True Charity
Dreams Come True is a national charity which makes the dreams of terminally or seriously ill children become a reality.
Tel: 01428 726 330
Email: info@dreamscometrue.uk.com
Family Fund
The Family Fund helps families with severely disabled children to have choices and the opportunity to enjoy everyday life. They give grants for things such as washing machines, hospital visiting costs, computers and holidays.
Tel: 01904 550 055
Email: info@familyfund.org.uk
Family Holiday Charity
The Family Holiday Charity provides grants towards a one week holiday of the family’s choice. Referral needed from a health visitor or social worker.
Tel: 020 3117 0650
Email: hello@familyholidaycharity.org.uk
Make-A-Wish Foundation UK
Make-A-Wish grants magical wishes to children and young people aged 3-17 who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.
Tel: 01276 405 060
Email: info@makeawish.org.uk
The Muscle Help Foundation: Muscle Dreams
The Muscle Help Foundation are a wish granting charity for young people with Muscular Dystrophy in the UK aged 8 – 28 years.
Tel: 07958 463 434
Email: info@musclehelp.com
Promise Dreams
Promise Dreams helps to make dreams come true for seriously and terminally ill children aged 0-18, and their families, across the UK. This might include family holidays, specialist equipment or meeting favourite celebrities.
Tel: 01902 212 451
Email: info@promisedreams.co.uk
Rays of Sunshine
Rays of Sunshine brightens the lives of seriously ill young people and their families by granting wishes and providing ongoing support within hospitals.
Tel: 0208 782 1171
Email: info@raysofsunshine.org.uk
REACT (Rapid Effective Assistance for Children with Potentially Terminal Illness)
REACT are a charity working to improve the quality of life for financially disadvantaged children with life-limiting illnesses living in the UK. The charity provides grants and holidays.
Tel: 0208 940 2575
Email: react@reactcharity.org
Round Table Children’s Wish
Round Table Children’s Wish is a charity dedicated to granting ‘handcrafted’ wishes for children and young people with life-threatening illnesses.
Tel: 01202 514 515
Email: info@rtcw.org
Starlight Foundation
Starlight Children’s Foundation brightens the lives of seriously and terminally ill children by granting their wishes and providing hospital entertainment to help take their minds off the pain, fear and isolation of their illness.
Tel: 0207 262 2881
Email: talktous@starlight.org.uk
When You Wish Upon a Star
When You Wish Upon a Star are a national organisation set up to grant wishes for seriously ill children between the ages of 2 and 16.
Tel: 0115 979 1720
Email: head.office@whenyouwish.org.uk
Willow Foundation
The Willow Foundation provides special days for 16-40 year olds. Special days aim to provide young adults living with life-threatening conditions with a chance to escape the pressures of their daily routine and share quality time with family and/or friends.
Tel: 01707 259 777
Email: info@willowfoundation.org.uk